Q. Does a New Hampshire domestic violence assault conviction cause me to lose my gun rights permanently?

A. It depends, the NH Court form states “It is illegal to possess a firearm or ammunition after conviction of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. This is a lifetime ban. However, in the case of a person who has not more than one conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an individual in a dating relationship, provided the person is not otherwise prohibited, the person shall not be disqualified from possession of a firearm or ammunition, if five years have elapsed from the later of the judgement of the conviction or the completion of the person's custodial or supervisory sentence, if any, and the person has not subsequently been convicted of another such offense, a misdemeanor under federal, state, triable, or local law which has an element, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, or any other offense that would disqualify the person.” Every case is different, laws change and possession of a firearm when not permitted is serious.

Be careful because if you do not have legal authority to possess a firearm or ammunition, the NH Court form states “Possession of a firearm and/or ammunition after conviction of a qualifying domestic violence misdemeanor is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9) and has a maximum prison sentence term of ten years.”